OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY
Instructor, Charles Miller
Course Description
The outdoor power equipment industry
produces millions of pieces of equipment per year. The average property owner
purchases at least two pieces of equipment, a push mower, and a string trimmer.
Many property owners also purchase other types of lawn and garden equipment such
as riding lawnmowers, chainsaws, rototillers, and snowblowers. Also included in
the small engine field is recreational equipment. Recreational equipment
includes motorcycles, ATV's, outboard engines, and personal water craft.
In an ever expanding market, there is a high demand for qualified technicians, sales people, dealership owners, and distributors who are able to command top wages for the services they perform. It is common to charge as much as $35 per hour or more for services.
The Outdoor Power Equipment course is designed to give instruction in the following areas: two-stroke cycle and four-stroke cycle engine design, carburetion, ignition, cooling, lubrication, troubleshooting, drive systems, and overhaul procedures. There is also instruction given on parts identification, ordering, inventory control, and business operations.
Prerequisites: Applied Math, Science, & Communications; Computer Literacy, Keyboarding Skills
Appropriate Occupations
 |
Owner of business |
|
Service and parts sales |
|
Service technician |
|
Technical advisor or instructor |
|
Automotive trade |
Job Outlook
With production averaging about one
million engines per month, an increasing number of technicians are needed in the
lawn and garden as well as the recreational vehicle industries.
Quality technicians are in such demand, many manufacturers such as Briggs & Stratton, Tecumseh, Echo, and Husquuarna have formed The Engine and Equipment Training Council. The Council's purpose is to promote the industry as an employable profession and supply the resources to train and develop new OPE technicians.
Further Education Opportunities
The GACTC is a level one OPE Certified
training facility. Levels two through four can be continued at a variety
of postsecondary institutions across the United States. Students may also pursue
Master Service Technician status with each manufacturer.
This program is also available to adults.
See Intergenerational Programs